Motorcycle specifications HondaCBR 1000 RR Factory TEN KATE SUPERBIKE 2010 Haslam at the helm

for some time now, Kate's big CBRs have not been riding in the splendor of their heyday. But Jonathan Rea's performances have put Honda Superbikes back in the spotlight. Meticulously prepared by the Dutch team, the CBR 1000 RR (and its little 600 sister, which races in Supersport) is transformed from a good hypersport machine into a superbike supereloce. There's no need to expect Ten Kate to give lessons: with 7 World Supersport titles and 2 WSBK titles, the team knows its stuff like no one else. In-depth work on the 4-cylinder results in an impressive reproduction of the hara. From its standard 177 hp, the Honda block spits out more than 215 horsepower. An HRC-sourced gearbox digests this big potato, then transfers it to the 16.5-inch forged magnesium rear wheel. In between, the swingarm is modified, softened for better control.

in mid-2009, the team withdrew from White Power and turned to Öhlins for its suspension choices. A long process of fine-tuning was necessary, and the result was not seen in 2009, but Ten Kate knew it wouldn't be seen until 2010. The Philip Island round confirms this.
Although the CBR's design is very distinctive, it follows in the footsteps of its rivals when it comes to fairing: all carbon to save weight. The workmanship on this bike is so meticulous that you'd think it had just come out of a crate from Japan. Even the Arrow exhaust seems designed by and for the CBR. The detailed parts list reminds you that this WSBK Honda is not some Jean-Claude Volume custom bike. Powerful Nissin monobloc radial brake calipers are almost as effective as a brick wall. More discreet but just as important, a high-capacity radiator is hidden behind the front wheel, also in 16.5-inch forged magnesium.

one of the special features of the Ten Kate team is that they sell a wide range of racing parts, and if your purse allows, they can even build you a real Superbike machine, identical to that of Jonathan Rea and Max Neukirchner. But there's a big check to be written: the forks alone cost more than a new Bandit 1250. More affordable, the 2009 CBR endurance bike is available second-hand, for the modest sum of 59,000 euros.

M.B - Photos worldsbk.com